Women's Water Polo

Gauchos Work Overtime for 4-3 Win in Big West Opening Win Over Long Beach State

Shelby Haroldson

Mar 31, 2012

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Junior Shelby Haroldson scored her second goal of the match in the fifth overtime period to lift 15th-ranked UC Santa Barbara to a 4-3 sudden death victory over visiting Long Beach State in the Big West opener for both schools on Saturday.

Haroldson's second goal, which gives her 25 on the season, came with 1:06 remaining in the fifth overtime period, the third sudden death period. It was the Gauchos' first goal since Haroldson scored her first of the match with 2:06 to play in the third period. Her third period goal gave UCSB (16-11 overall, 1-0 in the Big West) a 3-1 lead over the 49ers (10-12 overall, 0-1 in the Big West).

Long Beach tied the score with two fourth period goals. Chelsea Parks cut the Gaucho lead in half, scoring with 5:56 remaining in the game. Justine Morgan, who also scored the first goal of the match to give her team an 1-0 advantage, tied the contest with 3:55 left in regulation.

Both teams had numerous opportunities to break the 3-3 tie but the goalies came up big. UCSB goalkeeper Ruth Milne recorded 19 saves, equaling her second highest total of the season, while Long Beach's Kelly Ringel had 13.

The victory is the is the sixth in the last seven matches for the Gauchos, who return action on Sunday to host No. 6 UC Irvine in a noon match at Campus Pool.